COMPANY INFO
Company information about us, our staff our equipment, our history and our accreditations
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Please feel free to look through and get in touch if you want to find out more
ABOUT US
Purbeck Marine, a thriving marine engineering company based in Poole, Dorset, UK boasts over 40 years of successful trading. Our comprehensive services encompass the sale of new parts and equipment, along with the repair, maintenance, and servicing of a diverse range of marine vessels. From 10ft launches to 200ft+ yachts, powerboats, sailboats, fishing boats, superyacht tenders, survey vessels, ribs, cruisers, speedboats, and military craft, we cater to an extensive clientele.
Conveniently located in Cobb’s Quay Marina, Poole, Dorset, we hold 'fully accredited' status, allowing us to supply parts and labor to major defense contractors. Our esteemed clientele includes BAE Systems, Boskalis Marine Services, Pascoe International, Dorset Cruises, City Cruises London, and Poole. Additionally, we conduct services and instruction courses for the Royal Marines, showcasing the breadth of our expertise.
While we proudly serve major businesses and defense contractors, we equally prioritize the needs of small businesses and private boat owners. Over the last decade, we've cultivated a customer base exceeding 1000 clients locally in Poole, Dorset, and globally. Our marine engineering services span both private and commercial sectors, marking consistent year-on-year growth.
As an integral part of the industry, we are E P Barrus’ approved main dealers for Yanmar, John Deere, Shire, and Mase marine engines and generators. We hold A R Peachment’s approval as main dealers for Nanni engines, Max Power bow thrusters, Lofrans winches, and Bukh UK approved dealers for Bukh marine engines.
At Purbeck Marine, our commitment to providing friendly and reliable service sets us apart. Whether you are a major defense contractor, a small business, or a private boat owner, we extend our expertise to meet your unique marine engineering needs. Join the multitude of satisfied clients and discover why we are creating waves of excellence in the industry. Give us a call, and experience the Purbeck Marine difference.
OUR TEAM
Gary Knowelden – Director, Marine Engineer, and Admin
With nearly 30 years in the marine engineering field, Gary Knowelden brings extensive expertise, including a noteworthy 9-year stint at Sabre Engines Ltd. His experience also extends to working on high-performance racing and pleasure craft for a decade. Since taking the reins at Purbeck Marine in 2002, Gary has consistently upheld the highest standards, ensuring customer satisfaction.
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Mike Warr – Director, Marine Engineer, and Sales
Mike Warr embarked on his advanced apprenticeship in 2003, culminating in his successful completion in 2007 with a Level 3 NVQ and Level 3 City and Guilds in marine engineering. Over the years, he has augmented his skills with various engine manufacture courses from leading brands. His commitment to delivering top-notch service and work led him to co-own Purbeck Marine with Gary since 2010.
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Gina Swaffield – Accountant & Company Secretary
As our diligent Company Secretary, Gina Swaffield joined Purbeck Marine in 2011. Her expertise shines in managing the accounting side of the business, ensuring precision in bookkeeping, tax returns, and VAT forms. Gina excels in organizing bill payments, overseeing credit control, and maintaining general office organization, contributing significantly to the smooth operation of our business.
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Zac Singh – Workshop & Sales Manager
Zac Singh's journey with Purbeck Marine began in 2012 when he joined on a work experience basis after leaving school. His dedication and skill development secured him a full-time job and an apprenticeship in marine engineering. Completing his Level 3 NVQ and City and Guilds qualification in 2016, Zac transitioned into an office-based role. Leveraging his engineering knowledge and computer skills, he now manages the day-to-day running of the business, overseeing jobs for engineers and handling parts sales.
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Darren Palmer – Marine Engineer
Joining the team in early 2018, Darren Palmer brings a wealth of experience as a qualified Marine Engineer, specializing in Volvo Penta engines and outdrives. His previous roles include working for a main Volvo agent and multi-branded franchises, covering Yanmar, Nanni, Honda, and Yamaha.
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Andy Warr – Marine Engineer
Andy Warr joined Purbeck Marine part-time in 2015, bringing a background in engineering and fabrications. With a lifetime spent on boats and general maintenance tasks, Andy contributes a unique set of knowledge and skills to the team, consistently providing effective solutions.
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Jamie Lee - Marine Engineer
Jamie Lee became part of our team in 2022, having completed his marine engineering apprenticeship with Sunseeker International boat builders. His subsequent experiences include working for a prominent Lymington-based engineering refit center and a Poole-based engineering and refit center. Jamie specializes in engine works, general engineering, and electrical tasks.
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Martin Diamond - Marine Engineer
Joining the team in 2020, Martin Diamond brings a wealth of engineering experience. Specializing in engine project work, he plays a crucial role in our workshop, contributing to engineering projects and the engine rebuild production line.
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EQUIPMENT
Purbeck Marine is equipped with an extensive range of tools, equipment, and cutting-edge technology to excel in the world of marine engineering. Our dedicated collection is tailored to handle even the most specialized tasks in the field.
Our skilled marine engineers operate with their own vans and carry comprehensive personal tool sets, ensuring readiness to serve clients anywhere in the UK from our base in Poole, Dorset.
Our technological prowess includes computer systems designed for plugging in and repairing/setup of the latest common rail engines. We boast an impressive array of pullers, including hydraulic options, for propellers, couplings, injectors, and fittings. Our hydraulic press is adept at handling even the most seized bearings and shafts, while our state-of-the-art cutlass bearing pullers significantly reduce labor costs and expedite completion times.
Most of our power tools, including lights, drills, drill drivers, and angle grinders, are battery-powered to enhance accessibility, especially in remote locations. Additionally, we maintain a reliable generator capable of providing 240v power wherever needed.
Our in-house engine building capabilities extend to a fuel injector testing machine, cylinder head valve seat cutters, a valve refacing machine, and custom engine rebuilding tools. We utilize comprehensive service kits, enabling us to proficiently work on a vast variety of engines.
Purbeck Marine prioritizes quality with high-grade oil and fuel pumps, large drums for oil replacement, bilge emptying, and fuel draining/storage during works. Our custom-built fuel polishing kit is specifically designed to remove water and debris from tanks of any size vessel.
Environmental responsibility is integral to our operations. We employ a battery vacuum cleaner for cleanup, handling small drillings, and larger vacuums capable of managing fluids from bilges in an eco-friendly manner, eliminating the need for pumping overboard.
Precision is key in our operations, facilitated by tools such as saws, pillar drills, and a lathe for carrying out meticulous fabrications. Our tap and die sets cover metric, imperial, Whitworth, and BSP, encompassing even the most unusual and rare threads used in marine engineering.
We employ cutting-edge technology for inspections, including compression testers, digital cameras, bore scopes, and coolant pressure testers to meticulously examine engine internals and check systems for leaks.
To further enhance our capabilities, we possess mobile lifting facilities along with certified lifting strops, showcasing just a glimpse of our impressive tool inventory.
For all your marine engineering needs, Purbeck Marine stands ready with a formidable arsenal of tools, ensuring precision, efficiency, and excellence in every project.
HISTORY
Purbeck Marine was first established in 1979 by John Purdie and Keith Warren, they built the company by purchasing Wilkins and Wilkins Marine Services that has roots dating back pre war.
They made it their own and kept the company in Cobbs Quay Marina until Gary purchased it from John in 2002
In Febuary 2010 Mike joined Gary as an equal partner in the business, together they have built the business into what it is today, with 7 full time staff, 4 vans, a custom built facility in the Saltmarsh Building, Cobbs Quay Marina Poole. Their work is now recognised globally with regular trips anywhere in world supporting the superyacht industry, as well as many other commercial commitments all around the UK. They are also well established carrying out many types of works in all of the local marinas, yacht clubs and boatyards.
The business is now successfully expanding year on year.
ACREDITATIONS
WE ARE ACCREDITED CONTRACTORS FOR
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PASCOE INTERNATIONAL
BAE SYSTEMS
BOSKALIS
CITY CRUISES
DORSET CRUISES
BARRUS
JOSCAR UK
